Bavarian Nordic A/S, a Danish biotechnology company, has announced a collaboration with the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine producer, to manufacture Mpox vaccines for the Indian market. The agreement, revealed in a press release, involves Bavarian Nordic transferring its production technology to the Serum Institute, enabling vaccine supply within India.
The partnership also opens avenues for the Serum Institute to undertake contract manufacturing for Bavarian Nordic, boosting global production capacity. This agreement underscores the shared commitment of both companies to address the growing challenges posed by the Mpox outbreak, which has impacted multiple regions globally.
Since the beginning of 2024, over 65,700 Mpox cases have been reported, with approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Children have borne the brunt of the outbreak, and a new, highly virulent strain of the monkeypox virus—clade 1b—has been identified in several African nations as well as in the US, UK, and Thailand. This mutated variant spreads more rapidly, especially through sexual contact, and carries a higher mortality rate.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, highlighted the collaboration’s importance, stating, “By leveraging our manufacturing expertise and rapid response capability, we aim to enhance epidemic preparedness, expand access to life-saving vaccines, and protect vulnerable populations from Mpox.”
Paul Chaplin, President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, remarked, “Although there are currently no capacity constraints, scaling global manufacturing is vital to ensuring equitable access to vaccines worldwide. We are excited to partner with SII, the world’s largest vaccine producer, as we continue to explore opportunities for local manufacturing to support vaccine supply.”
The collaboration follows a profit-sharing model without upfront or milestone payments. Bavarian Nordic emphasized that the deal would contribute to ensuring vaccine availability amid a worsening public health crisis.
The Mpox outbreak, which began in September 2023, has escalated into a major health concern, with over 812 deaths recorded by December 2024 and a case fatality rate of around 3%. The DRC remains the most affected country, reporting the majority of cases and fatalities, particularly among children under 15.
In August 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) due to its rapid spread and potential to impact neighboring countries. International efforts, including vaccination drives in nations like Rwanda and the DRC, are underway to curb the epidemic and protect at-risk populations.
Bavarian Nordic is an international vaccine company committed to improving health and saving lives through cutting-edge vaccines. As a trusted supplier of mpox and smallpox vaccines to governments, the company plays a key role in strengthening public health preparedness. Additionally, Bavarian Nordic offers a leading portfolio of vaccines for travelers, further supporting global health initiatives.
Serum Institute of India is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, committed to delivering affordable vaccines globally. With a presence in over 170 countries, including the US, UK, and Europe, SII plays a pivotal role in global healthcare. Its state-of-the-art production facility in Manjri, Pune, with an annual capacity of 4 billion doses, has contributed to saving over 30 million lives to date, showcasing its unparalleled impact on public health worldwide.
